Episode 97: Above The Ashes (P2)

December 18, 2022 By Leave a Comment

In Episode 97, we continue our conversation with Kevin Conley about his book "Above The Ashes" which is a powerful memoir of his cross-country bike journey with dog Rocky. In part two of this podcast, Kevin talks about his trip, writing his book, fundraising for the Wildland Firefighters Foundation- and the incredible support that he received from family, friends, fellow firefighters, and many, many strangers on his ride. This journey helped Kevin overcome one of the darkest moments of his … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Backcountry Writing, Backpacking Adventures, Cross-Country Adventures, Podcasts

Episode 96: Above The Ashes (P1)

October 28, 2022 By Leave a Comment

In Episode 96, Kevin Conley is back on the show after a six year hiatus to tells us about his last few years as a wildland firefighter, his subsequent battle with mental illness, and his 3500 mile ride across the country to beat it. This journey helped Kevin overcome one of the darkest moments of his life which he details in his recently published book “Above The Ashes” - a powerful memoir of his journey with dog Rocky. We last spoke with Kevin in 2016 after his thru-hikes on the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Appalachian Trail, Backcountry Writing, Backpacking Adventures, Books, Cross-Country Adventures, John Muir Trail, Long Distance Backpacking, Pacific Crest Trail, Podcasts, Thru-Hiker

Episode 87: 10th Anniversary Show

April 26, 2021 By Leave a Comment

In Episode 87, we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the show by speaking with Glenn (Helmet) & Susan (Doughgirl) who were in the inaugural N2Backpacking podcast - recorded just over 10 years ago.  We last spoke with them in April 2011 when they detailed their thru-hike of the John Muir Trail, but they are here tonight to update us on their adventures this last decade - including caring for their 3 kids, visiting the National Parks, and raising an outdoor family. We also have time to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Backpacking, Backpacking Gear, Backpacking With Kids, Badlands National Park, Camping With Kids, Car Camping, Cross-Country Adventures, Hiking With Kids, Isle Royale National Park, National Parks, Podcasts, With Kids

Episode 86: Trust The Trail

March 31, 2021 By Leave a Comment
Trust The Trail Hosts

In Episode 86, I welcome fellow podcasters Scott and Ariane to the show. They are the hosts of the popular backpacking podcast “Trust The Trail”, and despite living within 15 minutes of each other these last few years in metro-Atlanta, we chat long distance from their retrofitted 1976 Airstream camper in Arizona. In the podcast, Scott and Ariane discuss life on the road, their backpacking show, how they met, and their life as backcountry guides.  This podcast is simulcast on both our … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Backcountry Guiding, Backpacking, Cross-Country Adventures, Isle Royale National Park, National Parks, Podcasts, Road Trips

BirdShooter’s Takeaways From Trail Days 2019

May 25, 2019 By Leave a Comment

BirdShooter’s takeaways from Trail Days 20191. Trail Days is 10X the size it was when I last went in 1999 (our 5th year reunion)2. Separating the town from Tent City was a good idea3. Any registered police officer within a 6 county area works Trail Days4. Hiking 40 miles in to Damascus is easier than finding parking at Trail Days5. Trail Days is a business, there were ~60 vendors this year6. Trail Days is a party, somethings never change7. Tent City is a visual, cultural, and culinary … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Appalachian Trail, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Car Camping, Long Distance Backpacking, Road Trips, Trail Days

Episode 59: The Man Who Hiked It All

December 15, 2018 By Leave a Comment

In Episode 59, I speak with Bart Smith (aka Infinite Dust) who was recently featured in Backpacker Magazine as "The Man Who Hiked It All".  Since 1992, Bart has hiked nearly 35,000 miles on 30 of America's National Scenic and Historic Trails - completing the last of the Trails by October 2nd, 2018 to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the National Trails Act. In the show, Bart tells us about his backcountry photography, the coffee table book he completed with Earl Shaffer on the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Appalachian Trail, Backpacking Trails, Benton MacKaye Trail, Continental Divide Trail, Cross-Country Adventures, Long Distance Backpacking, Long Distance Hiking, Pacific Crest Trail, Pacific Northwest Trail, Photo Journals, Podcasts, The Long Trail, Thru-Hiker, Trail Talk

Episode 46: Renegade Camping

November 14, 2017 By Leave a Comment

In Episode 46, we continue the conversation with author Bryan Snyder who talks about Renegade Car Camping in North America.  In the podcast, we discuss how to find free campsites while you are on the road.  Bryan also tells us how to leverage some public and Internet resources to maximize the experience and save some money in the process. Bryan is an educator, hiker, backpacker, climber, car camper and all-around adventurer, and he has logged over 350K miles in his Jeep Cherokee, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Backpacking Hacks, Books, Car Camping, Cross-Country Adventures, Podcasts, Road Trips

Episode 45: Off The Map

October 12, 2017 By Leave a Comment

In Episode 45, I speak with author Bryan Snyder about his latest book "Falling Off The Map: Fifty-Four Explorations into the Wildest Reaches of the American West".  Bryan is an educator, hiker, backpacker, climber, car camper and all-around adventurer, and in the show we hear about his 20+ summers traveling throughout North America. He also shares with us some tales from a recent trip to Burning Man in the Nevada desert. Bryan has logged over 350K miles in his Jeep Cherokee, code named … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Car Camping, Podcasts, Road Trips